1994 Volkswagen Corrado VR6

As a February 1994 registered VR6, this Corrado is one of the earlier examples. Its clever inline/narrow V6 engine – with its single cylinder head – was only introduced less than two years earlier. This 2861cc six-pot replaced the fussy and unreliable four-cylinder G60 supercharged Corrado at the top of the range.

This VR6 has covered 96,455 miles and from first impressions it’s clear that for a large proportion of those miles, it’s been treated with upmost care. The White paintwork appears excellent in bright sunlight and only a few minor imperfections (swirls) here and there give any indication that this isn’t a nearly new car. Scarily for those (like us) who can clearly remember the mid-1990s, this car is rapidly approaching its third decade, yet certainly doesn’t look like it.

That gleaming white hue really does impress but if you begin to really look closely, inevitably you discover the odd blemish. The paint on the rear three-quarter panel on the offside has swirls, most notable around the petrol filler area. These aren’t bad by any means but would benefit from some cutting and machine polishing – if you’re going for a show-winning finish. While we’re in this area we did check the infamous filler neck and are pleased to report only very mild bubbling from the beginnings of surface corrosion. It is also worth pointing out a little surface corrosion is also resident in the offside wheel arch, the worst of which can be found towards the bottom.

The five-spoke Speedline alloys look very fine indeed with only minor kerb marks and lacquer peeling/moisture beginning to break the paint. They’re certainly not in desperate need of refurbishment. Neither are the front valance and splitter, though both show minor marks from stone impacts. We only mention these as without them the front end would receive a totally clean bill of health. In fact, the overall impression given by the bodywork is a very good one indeed. Also, we checked that the sunroof and rear wing extends and retracts as intended – common Corrado failures – all’s well here too.

The vendor is keen to point out that everything on the inside of this premium VW works as it should. We spent a little time trying to prove him wrong and found that we couldn’t. The cabin condition is on a par with the exterior, that’s to say, it appears to be in very fine order. There’s a little light staining to the base of the passenger seat, likely from a spillage and the usual slightly worn patch on the driver’s bolster though there are no holes.

The audio equipment in this VW has been upgraded (as many have been) but unlike some of the worst offenders from the Max Power era, a previous owner has opted for a ‘stealth’ shelf. That places the meaty 6x9 speakers under a cover that isn’t visible from the top side. The only giveaway comes from when you open the boot and spot the speaker bottoms and the accompanying Alpine amplifier. The CD player has also been upgraded too with a quality Alpine CDA unit (good for MP3s too). There’s really precious little else to report in here, it remains a very nice place to be.

For a near thirty-year-old Volkswagen, this Corrado VR6 has survived admirably. The vendor is keen to point out that in his ownership (2007-present) the car has never been out in wet weather, is always filled up with Shell V-Power high-octane fuel and has always been treated to replacement genuine VW parts (where available). He also tells us that the car has always been serviced at 6000-mile intervals or when it came out of hibernation for a show season. This has been carried out either by VW dealers, marque specialists or by the vendor himself.

Lifting the bonnet shows that glorious VR6 engine in all its intake and plastic glory. The bay is naturally tight but dry and free of leaks. Looking at the underside of the bonnet, it’s clear that the soundproofing has been replaced recently. The exhaust looks like it could do with being replaced before long as both the back and middle boxes are rusty, especially around their joints, but it's worth noting that is the original exhaust! So you get that terrific VR6 sound in your ears. There’s the odd patch of surface rust here and there, but it all looks solid.

There’s not room here to go through the enormous pile of service literature and manuals that have been provided by the vendor, but he has helpfully made a list of the most important maintenance work, as follows;

• 09/2006) Marque specialist Awesome GTI work: Original VW heater control replaced, Wynns cooling system flush.

• (06/2007) Complete rebuild of the coolant system (including thermostat housing and seals along with new expansion tank and temp fan switch).

• (07/2008) Marque specialist Stealth Racing work: Front suspension top mounts replaced, rear axle bushes replaced, rear brake bias valve overhauled, rear suspension bump stops replaced and 4-wheel alignment carried out.

• (01/2008) Clutch slave cylinder replaced.

• (05/2010) All ignition leads replaced (genuine VW parts).

• (01/2010) Bosch fuel pump replaced along with level sender and Idle speed adjusted to correct 740rpm.

• (08/2010) Rear wheel bearings replaced.

• (07/2011) All hard brake lines and flexible hoses replaced.

• (09/2011) Front calipers all refurbished by Bigg Red calipers.

• (07/2019) New bonnet cable and ‘trumpets’ fitted.

• (03/2020) Most recent brake fluid change.

• (08/2020) Most recent fuel filter change.

• (01/2021) Most recent oil & filter change.

As is clear, there’s been plenty spent on this car, which the vendor describes as ‘his pride and joy’. In fact, this stunning VR6 is only for sale due to a change of circumstance and a lack of use. There are also two sets of keys and a complete set of ownership literature, including a stamped service history showing plenty of trips back to Volkswagen dealerships.

If you look at all the famed driver’s cars of the 1980s and 1990s you’ll notice a few things, firstly the majority of them are six-cylinder powered, also that they’re all rocketing in value. The VW Corrado has long been heralded as a model to watch for future investment stardom but beyond that, it’s also an exhilarating and hugely enjoyable car to own and drive.

The simple Golf-derived underpinnings might fool you into thinking that this coupe lacks a certain theatre or the exotic appeal of some of its rivals, but one drive will soon put those thoughts clear out of your head. This example appears to have been doted upon like few others out there and as a result, we have no qualms whatsoever of offering it with a reserve of £9000 - £14,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and as stated this car is located with the vendor in Cardiff, to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing to make an appointment. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.